1681. Anno 33 Car.II. at Oxford in Henry the Third's, and at Coventry in Henry the Sixth's Time; with divers others which have prov'd very fatal to thofe Kings, and have been follow'd with great Mifchief on the whole Kingdom: And confidering the prefent Pofture of Affairs, the many Jealoufies and Difcontents which are amongst the People, we have great caufe to apprehend, that the Confequences of a Parlia ment now at Oxford may be as fatal to your Majefty and the Nation, as thofe others mention'd have been to the then reigning Kings. And therefore we do conceive, that we cannot answer it to God, to your Majefty, or to the People, if we, being Peers of the Realm, fhould not on fo important an occafion humbly offer our Advice to your Majefty; that, if poffible, your Majefty may be prevail'd with to alter this (as we apprehend) unfeasonable Refolution. The Grounds and Reafons of our Opinion are contain'd in this our Petition, which we humbly prefent to your Majefty.' The Petition against fitting at Oxford. The Petition itself confifted very much of a Recapitulation of the Misfortunes attending the untimely Prorogations, Diffolutions, and Discontinuations of Parliaments of late, at a time when his Majefty's Perfon, and the whole Nation was in imminent Danger from the Papifts: And now at laft his Majefty had been prevail'd to call another Parliament at Oxford, where neither Lords nor Commons could be in Safety, but would be daily expos'd to the Sword of the Papists, and their Adherents, of whom too many had crept into his Majefty's Guards: The Liberty of fpeaking according to their Confciences would be thereby deftroy'd, and the Va lidity of their Acts and Proceedings left difputable: The Straitnefs of the Place no ways admitted of fuch a Concourfe of Perfons, us now follow'd every Parliament; and the Wit neffes which were neceffary to give Evidence upon the Commons Impeachment, were unable to bear the Charges of fuch a Journey, and unwilling to truft themselves under the Protection of a Parliament, that was itself evidently under the Power of Guards and Soldiers. In conclufion, they pray'd that the Parliament might, as ufually, fit at Weftminfter, where they might confult and act with Safety and Free-. dom. This Petition was fubfcrib'd by fixteen Lords, viz. Monmouth, Kent, Huntington, Bedford, Salisbury, Clare, Stamford, Effex, Shaftsbury, Mordant, Evers, Paget, Grey, Herbert, Howard and Delamer. The King gave no Anfwer that we find, but frown'd upon the Deliverers of this Petition, and perfifted in his Refolution of holding the Parliament at Oxford: Whither the King repair'd with a great I rain, March 14, as likewife the Members to attend him. Thofe for the City of London came with a numerous Body of well arm'd Horfe, having Ribbands in their Hats, with thefe Words woven in them, No Popery, No Slavery! And 1681. And many others of the Members were attended in the like Anno 33 Car.II. The 21ft Day of March being come, the fifth and laft Par- The fifth Parliament in this Reign, was open'd at the City of Oxford; liament. where the Gallery at the Public Schools was prepared for the Lords, and the Convocation-Houfe for the Commons. Both Houfes being met, the King adorn'd with his Royal Robes, and feated on the Throne, made this following Speech to them: My Lords and Gentlemen, T HE unwarrantable Proceedings of the laft Houfe of The King's Commons, were the Occafion of my parting with the Speech to both lalt Parliament; for I, who will never ufe Arbitrary Go- Houses. vernment myself, am refolv'd not to fuffer it in others. I am unwilling to mention Particulars, because I am defirous to forget Faults; but whofoever fhall calmly confider what 'Ofers I have formerly made, and what Affurances I renew'd 'to the last Parliament; how I recommended nothing fo much to them, as the Alliances I had made for Prefervation of the General Peace in Chriftendom, and the further Examination of the Popish Plot, and how I defir'd their Advice and Affiftance concerning the Prefervation of Tangier; and fhall then reflect upon the ftrange, unsuitable Returns 'made to fuch Propofitions, by Men that were call'd together to confult; perhaps, may wonder more, that I had Patience fo long, than that at laft I grew weary of their Proceedings. I have thought it neceffary to fay thus much to you, that I may not have any new Occafion given me to remember more of the late Mifcarriages: It is much my Intereft, and it fhall be as much my Care as Yours, to preferve the Liberty of the Subject; because the Crown can never be safe when that is in Danger: And I wou'd have you likewise be * convinc'd, that neither your Liberties and Properties can fubfift long, when the juft Rights and Prerogatives of the 'Crown are invaded, or the Honour of the Government brought low, and into Difreputation. I let you fee, by my calling this Parliament fo foon, that no Irregularities in Parliament fhall make me out of love 'with them; and by this Means, offer you another Opportunity of providing for our Security here, by giving that Countenance and Protection to our Neighbours and Allies, which you cannot but know they expect from Us, and extremely ftand in need of at this Inftant; And at the fame time give one Evidence more, that I have not neglected ⚫ my ། Anno 33 Car.II. 1681. my part, to give that general Satisfaction and Security which, by the Bleffing of God, may be attain'd, if You, on your Parts, bring fuitable Difpofitions towards it: And that the juft Care you ought to have of Religion, be not fo manag'd and improv'd into unneceflary Fears, as may be 'made a Pretence for changing the Foundation of the Government. I hope the Example of the ill Succefs of former Heats, will difpofe you to a better Temper; and not fo much inyeigh against what is paft, as to confider what is beft to be done in the prefent Conjuncture. The farther Prosecution of the Plot; the Trial of the Lords in the Tower; the providing a more fpeedy Conviction of Re: cufants; and, if it be practicable, the ridding ourselves quite of that Party, that have any confiderable Authority or Intereft amongst them, are things, tho' of the highest Importance, that hardly need to be recommended to you, they are fo obvious to every Man's Confideration, and fo neceffary for our Security. But I muft needs defire you, not to lay fo much Weight upon any one Expedient against Popery, as to determine that all others are ineffectual: And, among all your Cares for Religion, remember, that without the Safety and Dignity of the Monarchy, neither Religion nor Property can be preferv'd. ་ What I have formerly, and fo often declared touching the Succeffion, I cannot depart from. But to remove all reasonable Fears that may arife from the Poffibility of a Popish Succeffor's coming to the Crown; if means can be found, that in fuch a Cafe the Administration of the Government may remain in Proteftants Hands, I fhall be "ready to hearken to any fuch Expedient, by which the Religion might be preferv'd, and the Monarchy not destroy'd. I mult therefore earneftly recommend to you, to provide for the Religion and Government together, with regard to one another, because they fupport each other: And let' us be united at Home, that we may recover the Efteem and • Confideration we us'd to have Abroad. I conclude with this one Advice to You, That the Rules and Measures of • all your Votes may be the known and establish'd Laws of the Land; which neither can, nor ought to be departed from, nor chang'd, but by Act of Parliament: And I may the more reasonably require, That you make the Laws of the Land your Rule, because I am refolv'd they fhall be mine.' Upon finishing this Speech, the Lord-Chancellor, by his Majesty's Command, directed the Commons to return to their House, and to chufe a Speaker. Which they accord-1 ingly did, unanimoufly electing William Williams of Gray'sInn Efquire, Counsellor at Law, and Recorder of Cheffer," who had been Speaker in the laft Parliament. When the ८ Commons Commons prefented him to his Majefty, on Tuesday the 22d Anno 33Car.II. of March, he made this Speech to the King: 1681. May it please your Majefty, The Knights, Citizens and Burgeffes in Parliament aflembled, with Duty and Loyalty The Speaker's agreeable to themselves and the Persons whom they repre- Speeches to the fent, have in Obedience to your Royal Pleasure, for the King. Difpofing of themselves in that great Affembly for your Majefty's Service, confider'd of a Speaker; and, to manifelt to your Majefty, and the World, That they are not inclinable to Changes, have with one Voice elected Me their Speaker, having had the Honour to ferve your Majefty and the Commons in that Truft, in the laft Parliament. With all Humility I prefume again, by their Commands, to ftand before your Majefty, to receive your Pleafure, with a Head and Heart full of Loyalty to your Sacred Perfon; arm'd with a fettled Refolution, never to depart from your well-known, ancient and establish'd Government.' Tho' the King was not pleas'd with the Speech, he thought fit by the Lord-Chancellor to approve of the Election, in the ufual Form. Upon which the new Speaker made this farther Speech: Moft gracious Sovereign, Natural Allegiance commands Loyalty to your Majefty from every Subject. Your fingular Grace and Favour to Me, in the laft Parliament, continu'd by the Honour I have in this, add more than Dutifulness and Obedience to my Loyalty. I am fet in the firft Station of your Commons for Truft and Quality; an high and flippery Place! It requires a fteddy Head, and a well-pois'd Body in him that will ftand firm there. Uprightness is the fafe Pofture, and beft Policy, and fhall be mine in this Place, guarded with this Opinion, That your Majefty's Service in this Truft, is one and the fame with the Service of your Commons, and that they are no more to be divided than your Crown and Sceptre. They truly ferve the Crown and Country, which fhall be my Care and Induftry, who make the Safety of your Sacred Perfon, the Defence and Security of the Proteftant Religion, the Support of your Majefty's Government, the Maintenance of the Laws, and Prefervation of the ancient Conftitutions of Parliament, one and the fame undivided Interest, one and the fame Safety, one and the fame infeparable Security for yourfelf and People. These are the Defires of all good Men, but must be the Effects of Good Councils. For the Enabling of your Majefty's Great Council now in Parliament aflembled, to compleat this bleffed Establishment, with all Humility I addrefs to your Majefty, in the Name and on the Behalf of the Commons in Parliament; 1. That We and our Servants may be free in our Perfons and Estates, from Arrefts, and other Disturbances. 2. That in our Debates, 1681. Anno 33 Car.II. Debates, Liberty and Freedom of Speech be allow'd us. 3. That, as Occafion fhall require, your Majefty will vouchfafe us Accefs to your Royal Perfon. I take leave to join this humble Petition for myself, That nothing by me, in Weakness, or through Inadvertency, faid or done, may turn to the Prejudice of the Commons; and that my Behaviour and Proceedings may receive a benign and favourable Interpretation with your Gracious Majelly." The Chan to him. Upon this, the Lord-Chancellor, by Command from his cellor's Speech Majefty, made this Return to the Speaker: Mr. Speaker, All your Petitions are fully and freely granted by his Majefty, in as large and ample a manner, as ever any House of Commons yet enjoy'd them: The King is very fure, the Wisdom of this Houfe of Commons will make as prudent an Ufe of them, as any of your Ancestors ever did. Your own particular Petition is grateful to the King too; because he knows you will be as careful to avoid Mistakes, as his Majefty is ready to forgive them. And now, Mr. Speaker, thefe Preliminaries being thus over, the King defires you would haften to the reft that are neceflary to be difpatch'd, before we can enter into Eusiness; that fo we may husband Time, which is now more neceffary than ever; and he hopes that this Parliament will come to a very happy and profperous Conclufion: And that it may do fo, God Almighty direct and profper all your Confultations.' Debate on printing the Votes. Sir J. Hartop. Sir W. Cowper. Tho' the Speaker had not the good Fortune to please the King, on this Occafion; he was order'd the Thanks of the Houfe, and defired to print his Speech. Mr. Speaker, What I am about to move, concerns us all. The laft Parliament, when you was moved to print our Votes, thought it was for the Security of the Nation, and you found it fo. It prevented ill Reprefentations of us to the World, by falfe Copies of our Votes, and none doubted your Honour in the Care of it. And I am confident that this House will be no more afhamed of their Actions, than the laft was. Printing our Votes will be for the Honour of the King, and the Safety of the Nation. I am confident, if it had been neceffary, you would have had Petitions from the Parts I come from, that your Actions might be made public. As I came hither, every body almost that I met upon the Road, cried, God bless you in what you are going about. I move therefore, that your Votes may be ordered forthwith to be printed, with the rest of your Proceedings; and [ fall only add, that yourself has done fo well in taking that Care upon you the laft Parliament, that the Houfe will defire you to continue them in the fame Method.' That which put me upon moving the printing your Votes the last Parliament, was falle Copies that went about in |